Cats opt against snaring Bourke with father-son pick

Emma Quayle

JORDON Bourke has no idea where he will launch his AFL career but knows it will not be at Geelong, after the club opted against nominating the son of former captain Damian as a father-son draftee.

Bourke, who has grown up in Queensland and also qualifies as a Gold Coast zone player, is likely to be traded to Brisbane or another club during next week's trade period.

The teenager was at Gold Coast for most of the last pre-season and the Suns, who must make at least seven changes to their list ahead of the draft, already have several young key forwards.

While disappointed that the Cats had decided against drafting him, Bourke said he was excited about having the chance to push his case to other clubs in interviews at this week's draft combine.

"It's obviously a little bit disappointing, but I'm fine. The way I look at it it's one door closing and others hopefully opening. I haven't found the key yet, but it's not the end of the world," Bourke said.

A marking forward, the 17-year-old played for Morningside in the NEAFL, the AIS-AFL Academy, the Queensland under-18s and the Suns' and Cats' reserves sides this year.

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"I prepared myself as if it wouldn't happen so I'm not going to be down in the dumps about it. This week's pretty big, so I'd rather just be happy and do as well as I can in all the testing," he said.

"The positive thing is that now a few clubs might hear the word that Geelong isn't taking me and show a bit more interest without the whole father-son thing in the way."

The Suns, meanwhile, met last week with Melbourne father-son pick Jack Viney, but did not indicate if they would make a play for him at Monday's father-son bid meeting.

Should Gold Coast bid its No.2 pick then Todd Viney, Melbourne's chief recruiter, would have to use the No.3 choice on his 18-year-old son.

"He possibly could end up reading my name out at the draft and I can't think of too many times that's happened before, so it would be quite unique and hopefully I get to share that experience with my dad," Jack Viney said.